Imagine Lifestyles Luxury List

The Official Ferrari Opus Diamonds

Would you rather own a brand spanking new Ferrari exotic car, or the Official Ferrari Opus…a book that costs around $50,000 more than the car?  Yes, the Ferrari 458 Italia, the latest model from the marquee, comes with a price tag of around $225,325, but the Ferrari Opus is around $275,000.  Of course there is always the option of a Ferrari rental Miami style for far less...or ten new Prius sissy cars.

Cherish Angula and her team has taken the phrase “Diamonds are a girls best friend” to an entirely new level, offering up what may be the world’s first $51,000 diamond-encrusted manicure.  Named the “Ice Manicure”, this exclusive and expensive luxury treatment adorns the fingertips with 10 carats. 

I can’t help but point out that for that price, you could indulge in something a bit more exhilarating…like approximately 12-24 exotic car rentals Miami style, experiencing the latest from the top luxury brands.  Or you could just glue some diamonds to your nails and attempt to blind onlookers with them…that could be fun, too.

Imagine one of the world’s landmark luxury cities, Monaco.  Now picture it rollin’…I mean floating…meet the ‘Streets of Monaco’ megayacht.  I must say I do feel that the term ‘megayacht’ may not be sufficient for this billion-dollar beauty!  Oh yes, I said a billion…with a B.

This luxury yacht charter is one of the most secure and expensive in existence, boasting scaled-down reproductions of Monaco’s landmarks expanding across the 500-foot superyacht.  One such nod is a go-kart track on deck inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, which gearheads are certain to praise!  I wonder if there is a track to race your exotic rental cars onboard, or perhaps a private Ferrari Challenge at sea?  Hey, it could happen.

Bugatti has always been a name synonymous with perfection, speed, power and poise, but did you know that the exotic car brand can now actually say, ‘Well, hello there, I have the fastest luxury car in the world…what’s up?’  Yes, the new Bugatti Veyron has many luxury carmakers out there grinding their gears.  I would like to see this Bugatti added to our exotic rental car fleet!

Gulfstream knows luxury jets, and for the swanky G550 business jet, they have ‘pulled out all the stops’, so to speak!  The Gulfstream G550 is an ultra-long range luxury business jet charter that has been setting records since its inception, beginning with a nonstop flight from Seoul, South Korea to Orlando, Florida in 14.5 hours, just two weeks after it entered service.  This model certainly stands out among other private jet charters!

In fact, the G550 Gulfstream luxury jet established around 40 city-pair records within its first five years of service, not too shabby for a $50 million dollar advancement in aviation!  Don’t worry, it is available for charter for far less, and there are always light jet charters and medium jet charters for smaller trips.  The G550 jet effortlessly links Washington D.C. with Dubai, London with Singapore and Tokyo with Paris, removing the angst of commercial air travel from business trips.

In the nautical world, the ‘cigarette’ boat is the go-fast choice, offered in an endless variety of brands and specs.  In fact, even the big players in exotic and luxury car brands have entered the speedboat arena, including Mercedes-Benz, with their $1.2 million dollar SLS AMG cigarette boat!  So now you have to choose between an awesome speedboat rental Miami and a luxury car rental Miami?  Think fast!

So what makes a Mercedes-Benz cigarette boat worth more than the average variety?  Specifications include an 8-cylinder twin-turbocharged, quad-cam Mercury Racing engine with 4-valves kicking out 1,350 horsepower.  This is Mercury Racing’s latest engine, and runs on 92-Octane fuel.  This is one serious luxury racing boat!  For those who love the brand but prefer dry land, a Mercedes-Benz rental Miami style may be more your speed!

This Luxury List Item is definitely not for the squeamish!  Kopi Luwak is an exotic coffee hailing from Indonesia that is processed in a quite peculiar manner.  These coffee beans are harvested after passing through the Asian Palm Civet, a cat like mammal indigenous to the area.  Yes, the civet must first excrete these coffee beans before they make their way to your cup!  I would think people would have to be paid rather than pay to drink these dirty beans, but pay they do, to the tune of $100-$600 USD per pound!

The civet eats the coffee berries, which possess a cherry-like pulp on the exterior of the coffee bean.  The coffee berries then spend a day and a half in the digestive tract of the civet, where proteolytic enzymes seep into the beans, which some feel reduce the bitterness of the coffee.  The beans maintain their shape upon defecation, and are then gathered, washed thoroughly, sun dried, lightly roasted and brewed to yield an aromatic and sweet brew.  Yum.

For those of you who are savvy in the world of shotguns and firearms, you already know that some of the best guns, according to some, are actually called “Best Gun”, as in “London Best”, a piece that costs more than a freakin Ferrari! 

In fact, you may be able to purchase two Ferraris, Lamborghinis or other supercars in the typical $200,000 range for just one of these luxury collector guns.  So what makes a “London Best” so special?

It is a double-barreled shotgun created as if it were a piece of art, with careful precision.   Shotgun aficionados can spot a London Best in a crowd, much like women can spot a Coach bag or anything by Luis Vuitton.  A best gun is made of the highest quality and finish and is top-grade by a top manufacturer.  The quality is outstanding, and mirrors the same idea as opting for an Aston Martin rental over a standard car rental, you know you are getting something special.

This is a sensitive subject for some, as some believe the most expensive mushroom is the white truffle.  The white truffle is a rare and expensive fungus, but it is lacking one vital quality when vying for the title:  it is NOT a mushroom.  Does that settle it?  Now, meet the new contender, Japan’s matsutake mushroom.

The matsutake mushroom of Japan, or mattake, is extremely rare.  We all know how this works-something is rare, therefore it is expensive, the old ‘supply and demand’ strategy for marketing.  Historically the matsutake mushroom is synonymous with autumn in Japan. 

So why are the matsutake shrooms so rare?  This has been bugging me.  The plight of this mushroom is literally due to a bug, an insect that eradicates the trees that shelter the sumptuous shrooms.  The decline of these trees has in turn led to a decline in the matsutake mushroom, as symbiotic relationships go.  So the price per pound of this glorified fungus is a staggering $2,000.  Yes.  For fungus.

Preceded by the Porsche 911 GT1 and succeeded by the Porsche GT1, you will find the Porsche Carrera GT.  This supercar hit a production run in 2004 that ended in 2006.  Yes, for a delivery charge of just $5,000, a Porsche Carrera GT would have been delivered right to your door. Now you can see why Imagine Lifestyles added this to the biggest luxury list on the web. 

That really isn’t too steep for a luxury car that sold for an MSRP of around $440,000 USD.  Tack on a dealer invoice of around $14,800, and the Porsche Carrera GT boasted a price tag of around $421,000.  Nice.  So what went wrong? 

The original production run called for around 1,500 of the Carrera GT models to emerge onto the market, but Porsche announced in 2005 that production of the supercar would come to a screeching halt, citing a change in U.S. airbag regulations.  Lame.  So as of May 6, 2006, 1,270 Carrera GT’s had been manufactured, with a mere 604 sold to the United States.  I am assuming the cost to convert the design plan and budget of the Carrera GT to conform to the new airbag regulations was deemed excessive. 

Getting down to specs, the Porsche Carrera GT is powered by a 5.7-liter V10 engine kicking out 605 horsepower.  This is in stark contrast to the original concept Carrera GT, which featured a 5.5-liter version with 558 horses.  The Carrera GT hits the 0-60 mark in around 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 miles per hour.   A six speed manual transmission was the only option, which makes it a driving enthusiast’s choice.
 

As far as aesthetics, this luxury Porsche came in five basic colors:

•    Guards red
•    Fayence yellow
•    Basalt black
•    GT silver
•    Seal grey

Owners could custom order colors from the factory.  The Carrera GT features oversized side inlets and air dams to cool the larger sized V10 engine, framed by a carbon fiber rear bonnet.  So how do you stop a supercar that powerful?  With carbon fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide ceramic composite brakes, of course.  The brakes are ridiculously effective and equally attractive.  To show off, a rear wing spoiler deploys at speeds of around 70 miles per hour.  Wouldn't this be a perfect car to add to our fleet of Miami luxury rental cars or our every growing amount of Chicago exotic rental cars?

The interior of the Porsche Carrera GT is predictably plush, with soft leather, Bose audio system, navigation system and other luxe options.  I will close with a fun fact:  the ignition is located to the left of the steering column, paying homage to the early days of Le Mans racing when drivers where required to make a running start, hop into their cars, start them and race.  That way, the driver could start the Porsche with one hand, and put it into gear with the other.  Awesome.
 

Don't miss our Porsche rentals and other luxury car rentals on your way out!

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals
 

This luxury SUV appears to have been based on a simple cardboard box…just replace the cardboard with carbon fiber.  Oh, and slap on a price tag of $1 million smackeroos.  Meet the Mercedes G-Couture.

This SUV is not only an eyesore; it makes no logical sense, yet there it is.  Yet, it does please me greatly that companies are willing to add luxurious carbon fiber to SUVs, it will not only look great, but lighten the gas-guzzling load and lower environmental impact. 

In my humble opinion, the G-Class SUV still bears too much of a resemblance to its original tank-ish beginnings.  Now it is a tank with a luxury badge, and demands a heavy wallet.  Now let’s get down to specs!
 

Engine:  5.7-liter supercharged (I love that word)
Power/Torque:  700 bhp
Top Speed:  158 miles per hour
0-60 Mark:  4.3 seconds
Fuel Economy:  Don’t ask
Competition:  Lunar Shuttle, Brabus G-Wagon, TechArt Magnum, Chuck Norris
 

Attention Steve McQueen and Porsche fans, a rare 1970’s Porsche racecar just destroyed the auction block, fetching a stunning $3,965,000 million at Bonhams & Butterfield’s in Monterey.  This also shatters the world-record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction.  Let’s find out why.

The Porsche is actually a historic and rare ex-Jurgen, similar to the one sported by Steve McQueen in Le Mans.  It is a 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Porsche Interserie Spyder, so try saying that three times fast.  Racecars generally boast lengthy names, in efforts to give credit to various people or innovation. 

In the market for a supercar, but it needs to be environmentally friendly and be able to successfully display your impressive bank account?  Meet the 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR, destroyer of wallets, but not the planet!  It can be yours, for $1.2 million or more.

That is right, no matter what color your CCXR is, they are all green inside.  So how does a world-class supercar manage to meet eco standards, while keeping its er, cool?  I thought you would never ask, let’s get down to specs.

This Koenigsegg has taken all the success of its predecessors, and adapted it a bit to create a new level of performance.  The CCXR is a derivative of the CCX model, but boasts a modified 4.7-liter twin-supercharged Koenigsegg engine that can run on E85 and E100 biofuel, and normal 98-octane petrol (Europe).

Luxury List Item: Soon to be Announced

Luxury List Item: $8.95 Magnum Marine 80 by Pininfarina

If you have $8.95 million lying around, the Magnum Marine 80 by Pininfarina may be of interest to you! A speed boat of epic power and proportions, this stunner can slice through all water conditions thanks to its twin 2400-horsepower MTU diesels, gliding over the sea at a glorious 60 miles per hour! Did I mention Pininfarina designed it? Yes, that would be Ferrari’s Pininfarina!

Luxury List Item: The $275,000 Ferrari Opus Book Costs More than The 458 Italia!

  The most expensive and exclusive exotic car manifesto may well be the Official Ferrari Opus, coming in at a full $50,000 more than the latest model released by the brand!  A new Ferrari 458 Italia comes with a price tag of around $225,325, but you must tack on an additional $50,000 if you want to be one of the 400 people to get their paws on the book.  So do you prefer the wheels or the book?  That is a tough one.  Comment below!

Luxury List Item: The $51,000 Diamond Manicure
Shines and Stuns!

Quite possibly the world’s most expensive manicure, the Ice Manicure is comprised of diamonds and costs an astounding $51,000 USD!  Do you like your money where you can see it, on your fingertips?  If so this exclusive and expensive luxury pampering procedure could be for you!  Complete with pre and post care services, the Ice Manicure could be the definition of frivolous!

Luxury List Item: Superyacht Mirrors City of Monaco, for $1 Billion

Envision one of the world’s landmark luxury cities, Monaco.  Now picture it as a floating billion-dollar city, as in the new ‘Streets of Monaco’ megayacht.  This new megayacht has likely set the precedent for future extravagance and luxury yacht charters worldwide!  Follow the link for the full story.

Luxury List Item: 662 MPH Business Jet Charter Has Need for Speed-Meet the Gulfstream G550

The $50 million dollar and up Gulfstream G550 international luxury jet packs enhanced Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, and cruises at Mach 0.80 with a high-speed cruise capacity of Mach 0.87, that is a heart-stopping 662 miles per hour!  This makes me want to purchase two of them and host a luxury jet race to rival the F1 circuit! With every available amenity, the G550 even offers an interior design by Versace. Click here for more information on the Gulfstream G550.
 

Luxury List Item: $1.2 Million Dollar Cigarette, Boat That Is!  The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Speedboat

Most of the best luxury cars cost between $200,000 and $600,000, save the Bugatti.  You can sink millions into a luxury speedboat, if you have a passion for the lifestyle and the name brands!  Meet the 46’ Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG cigarette boat, boasting that famous svelte shape, and a cruising speed of 110 miles per hour.  Top speeds for this racing boat reach approximately135 miles per hour!  Yes, for the bargain price of $1.2 million, you can effectively fly on the water.  The unique shape of these speedboats earned them the nickname ‘Cigarette boats’, as they are long and thin much like a cigarette. Click here for more info on this Cigarette boat.

Luxury List Item: Kopi Luwak Coffee $100-$600 Per Pound

Looking for a bizarre brew?  Why not sample some Kopi Luwak coffee, the most expensive coffee in the world at $100-$600 per pound.  Why so pricey for a pick me up?  The exotic Kopi Luwak coffee must first pass through the Asian Palm Civet, a cat-like creature in Indonesia before it makes its way to your favorite mug.  That is correct, these coffee berries are digested by an animal, excreted, harvested and sold to the world for quite a cost!  Many appreciate the mild brew that reportedly lacks the bitterness possessed by traditional coffees.  Click here for more info on the Kopi Luwak Coffee

Luxury List Item: London Best Shotguns $400,000

While they do not all come from London, “London Best” guns are among the world’s most admired and expensive firearms and shotguns.  These luxury weapons are the Coach handbags of handguns.  So how pricey are these pieces?  They can cost as much as two exotic cars, like a $200,000 Ferrari and a $200,000 Lamborghini….because one London Best shotgun can be valued at around $400,000.  Follow link for full London Best shotgun story!

Luxury List Item: Matsutake Mushrooms Japan, $2,000

Do you really like your mushrooms?  Do you like them enough to shell out around $1,000-$2,000 per succulent pound for the world’s most expensive mushroom, the matsutake?  If you answered yes, you must have a very particular palate and substantial grocery allowance.  The matsutake mushroom is also a revered gift in Japan’s corporate world, offering the exotic fungus is a symbol of respect.  Check out more info on the Matsutake Mushrooms.
 

Luxury List Item: $420,000 Plus Porsche Carrera GT

The Porsche Carrera GT saw its glory days between 2004 and 2006, but the legendary supercar lives on.  How much did this luxury car hit the market for?  MSRP for a Carrera GT was around $400,000 USD, not too shabby for 2004.  Factor in the approximate cost of shipping at $5,000, and a dealer fee of around $14,800, and you’ve got yourself a new Porsche for almost half a million dollars!  Many components made this a special supercar, including performance, aesthetics, handling and luxurious interior. Click the link for more info on the Porsche Carrera GT.

Luxury List Item:  $1 Million Dollar G-Class

Sink your eyes into the $1 million dollar Mercedes G-Class SUV.  This boxy little number is just as powerful as it is pricey, and makes our Big List because it is certainly for the big spenders.

Aesthetics have inched along over the past 30 years, as it still appears a bit like an army tank, yet there is something seriously cool about carbon fiber and SUVs meshing. Only 7 of these luxury SUVs will be sold, leaving us all to wonder who they will be?  Oil tycoons, celebs, royalty?  Follow link for full story on the 1 Million dollar Mercedes Benz G Class.
 

Luxury List Item: $190 Million Dollar Mega Yacht: Alfa Nero

So what is the difference between your ordinary everyday yacht and a ‘mega yacht’?  Oh, just a few million dollars…or a few hundred million dollars!  Meet Alfa Nero, the $190 million dollar mega yacht.

When it comes to a luxury yacht, size matters, and the biggest and grandest snag the title of mega yachts, and make our ‘Big List’! 

The Alfa Nero (the name is even cool) expands to 269 feet, and was named for Roman emperor Nero.  Our Big List is not the only list this exotic and expensive mega yacht has made, she also ranked #43 in Boat International’s list of the world’s 100 largest yachts in February of 2009!  That is no easy list to make, so it certainly seems that Alfa Nero is a starlet in the luxury yacht industry.

As for onboard?  Designer Nuvolari & Lenard went to great measures to ensure that all modern amenities were provided.  Complete with 4,000 square feet of living space, 2 VIP suites and 3 double rooms.  This is a luxury yacht of massive proportions, potential and propulsion, with a range of 6,630 miles and a cruising speed of around 23 miles per hour.  

Luxury List Item: $40 Million Dollar Bugatti

This is one of our personal favorites.  Some of the higher-end Bugatti’s go for around $2-$3 million, but this one certainly takes the cake…and your wallet!  And that is why this Bugatti makes our 'Big List'!

It is a 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, and has sold for somewhere between $30-$40 million (reports vary).  The auction house broker, Gooding & Company is of course keeping silent on the matter, in order to provide the proper standards of customer confidentiality. 

So why the staggering sales price?  It all boils down to supply and demand, and this stunner is one of just 4 made, offering supreme bragging rights to one very sexy luxury car.  I am not sure that if we had a luxury car rental worth $40 million we would be eager to rent it out!

Luxury List Item: $1.2 Million Dollar Koenigsegg Eco Supercar


Want to rev an engine worth over $1 million dollars?  Sink your peepers into the 2010 Koenigsegg CCXR supercar, perhaps the world’s first uber-luxe car that manages to be a luxury hybrid.

Yes, not only is this one hellaciously expensive exotic car, it boasts a powerful engine that can run on E85 biofuel as well as regular petrol.  It defies rationality how strikingly beautiful, powerful, and green this car is, no matter what paintjob is chosen!  Follow link for more on the exotic koenigsegg sports car.

Luxury List Item: $4 Million Dollar Rare Porsche 917 Racecar

A rare Porsche racecar has snagged a shocking $4 million dollars at the elite auto action Bonhams & Butterfield’s in swanky Monterey, California this past week.  So why so much for a Porsche?  It is a racecar, the 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Porsche Interserie Spyder, similar to the one driven by famed Steve McQueen in Le Mans. 

After a spirited round at the auction, this fiery hot Porsche went to the highest bidder, who was the big spender of the day, as the next highest item sold for around $2.5 million, a rare Mercedes-Benz SS Tourer.  Overall, an impressive $18.6 million in rare luxury racecars were rolled across the auction block, follow link for more on the $4 million dollar 1970 Porsche!

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals